The LPGA has announced Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco as the host for the 2027 Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown. The decision comes shortly after the fifth edition of the biennial team competition wrapped up.
This marks the second time the Bay Area will host the International Crown. TPC Harding Park, just a short drive from Lake Merced, hosted the 2023 competition where Thailand defeated Australia in the finals. At this year’s event at New Korea Country Club near Seoul, Australia turned the tables by beating the U.S. team to claim the crown.
The LPGA hasn’t yet released the official dates for the 2027 tournament.
Lake Merced has a rich architectural history. Willie Locke designed the original layout in 1923, but the legendary Alister MacKenzie stepped in seven years later to renovate the course. MacKenzie’s work included removing 140 bunkers and creating a new 17th hole. The course underwent a major re-routing in 1962 when Robert Graves redesigned the layout to accommodate the construction of Interstate 280.
More recently, renowned architect Gil Hanse led a comprehensive restoration project. His team moved 75,000 cubic yards of dirt, rebuilt all 18 greens, restored the bunkers to MacKenzie’s distinctive style, and reimagined the routing to recapture several of MacKenzie’s original holes that had been lost over time.
LPGA fans will recognize Lake Merced from previous tournaments. The club hosted the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic from 2014-16 and the Mediheal Championship in 2018-19 and again in 2021.
“Lake Merced is excited to once again partner with the LPGA and host one of the year’s premier events,” said Wilson Leung, president of Lake Merced Golf Club. “Our diverse membership has enjoyed hosting multiple LPGA events in the past. This time, we are eager for the players to experience Gil Hanse’s recent restoration of the strategic Alister MacKenzie design from the early years of our club’s history. We are thrilled to welcome 32 of the top players from around the world to compete in this great tournament.”
